MEDIA RELEASE

The body of a missing diver was located Wednesday (May 2) in waters off Ka’u. The diver was identified at Theodore N. Chapman, 46, of Kailua-Kona.

Shortly after noon on Tuesday (May 1) the Hawaii Fire Department responded to a report of a missing scuba diver near Road to the Sea Beach in Ka’u. The diver’s friend reported that he had been waiting on the deck of a boat while the diver collected tropical fish. The diver failed to surface.

Hawaii Fire Department rescue divers, a Hawaii Fire Department helicopter and personnel from the Coast Guard and Civil Air Patrol began an ocean and air search. The search was called off at dark Tuesday and resumed at sunrise Wednesday.

At about 2 p.m. Wednesday, Fire Department rescue divers located the missing diver in 115 feet of water approximately 150 yards off shore in the area he had last been seen. He was taken to Kona Community Hospital and pronounced dead at 5:56 p.m.

The Police Department is continuing the investigation. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death. Police have classified the case as a Coroner’s Inquest.